gringa musings from a rooftop terrace in Oaxaca

Bringing Oaxaca to a NY classroom

Yesterday was SO much fun!!! I’m spending Christmas with family in New York and was invited by my daughter-in-law to speak to her special education class. Wearing one of my huipiles from the Papaloapan region of Oaxaca, I filled them in on “life in Oaxaca.”

We looked at a map of Mexico and I pointed to where the state of Oaxaca is located.

We spoke a little Spanish and discovered that some familiar foods, like chocolate, gum (chicle), corn (maíz), and turkey (pavo), originated in Mexico. They learned that there are many artisan crafts made in Oaxaca and I showed them a tapete (rug) that was woven in Teotitlán del Valle.

We talked about festivals with processions, bands, marmotas, monos, and dancing. And, to illustrate the diversity of the indigenous peoples of Oaxaca, I created a short video from La Guelaguetza 2014.

We discussed the differences between Christmas traditions in Mexico and the USA — that Christmas trees aren’t as common, but most everyone sets up a nacimiento (nativity scene) in their home.

Of course, they loved the idea of breaking open a piñata filled with candy and trinkets.

I concluded with a video I’d made and previously posted of the castillo in Teotitlán del Valle during the festival honoring the Virgen del Rosario. Needless to say, they were awestruck by the fireworks. And then I gave them each a woven palm leaf piñata ornament. Alas, no candy inside!

I was very touched that my daughter-in-law returned home later in the afternoon bringing individualized thank-you notes from the students. However, I would like to give a big “muchisimas gracias” to her for inviting me and to her students for being such an attentive, engaged, and delightful audience!

I loved it all…nearly as much as your daughter-in-law’s students did! Wish you could stop and visit on your way back … But understand that you can’t change tickets after the fact….I m maybe going to be in Oaxaca in August again ….looking into a place to lay my head…(daughter Suzy may be coming for part or all of the time too) …have a wonderful Christmas in El Norte! Love, Kay

Thanks, Kay! Great news that you may be returning to Oaxaca. I still want to take you up on a Houston layover, but have to hurry back to Oaxaca in January for Marga’s big birthday. ¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo! Abrazos.

It was such fun for Bob and I to chat with you on the Oaxaca flight a few days ago and to thank you in person for your excellent talk and photos of Danza de Las Plumas. Hopefully we can get together when we’re back in town in November/December. Your DIL and her students were lucky to share your enthusiasm.